Last year, master impressionist Dave Ehlert came to Corbin as the legendary American author and humorist, Mark Twain.      He’ll be back next Thursday to again help out the Friends of the Library during a dinner and show at the Corbin Center. But this year, Ehlert plans to bring some friends along, in the form of some of the world’s most popular singers and entertainers.

The program is called, “Music Americana,” and Ehlert’s plans to entertain and bring memories to those attending include the people and music that defined the history of pop music in America. Best known for his shows in Branson, Mo. that have played there for 16 seasons, Ehlert will bring back Elvis Presley in the Corbin performance, as well as other popular performers like Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash and Rod Stewart.

The fundraiser for the Corbin Public Library group “Friends of the Library” takes the spotlight next Thursday, May 10 at the Corbin Technology Center, located off the Cumberland Falls Highway. It kicks off at 6 p.m. with a full-course dinner, followed by Ehlert’s show.

Tickets are $30 each, which covers the dinner and show. Catered by David’s Restaurant, the dinner will feature a salad, choice of entree, drink and dessert. Members of Friends of the Library get a 20-percent discount when they buy a ticket. Tickets are available from library friends Rob Miller, Diane Mitchell, Ed or Sam Tye, Robert or Karen Nies, Anne Hoskins, Cecelia Brock, Charlotte Vaughn, Linda Barnett and Trula Martin. They can also be purchased at the Corbin Public Library during regular business hours.

Friends of the Library President Rob Miller said Wednesday the dinner and performance of the great pop entertainers by Ehlert should be a hip-shaking, tune-humming good time for all.

“There’s Elvis or course, and Ehlert will bring an assortment of those people who defined pop music and entertained generations of Americans. I’m sure a lot of people will be talking about the show the day after, just like they did last year when Ehlert did his impression of Mark Twain,” noted Miller.      One of Mark Twain’s favorite quotes was, “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.”

Miller told The Times-Tribune that Ehlert’s portraying of Twain in April of last year gave those attending something to remember.

“It was terrific. He actually studied with actor Hal Holbrook (who played the author on Broadway and TV in the one-man show, “Mark Twain Tonight” for over 50 years), and learned a lot of Twain’s actions and mannerisms.”          “I remember the show last year. And my husband and I went out to eat with Mr. Ehlert last year. He was very interesting to talk to. He talked about one of the latest books about Mark Twain and was fascinated by it,” said Diane Mitchell, another Friend of the Library during a phone interview Wednesday.

Both Mitchell and Miller agreed Ehlert’s show and his repeat performance to Corbin next week will help raise money for projects and services that not only serve the Corbin Library, but also to expand the library’s reach to the people who utilize their services.

“With the money raised from the Mark Twain dinner and show, we bought a bicycle rack to use for parking at the library, and chair covers for the chairs in the library’s Community Room. Because of paying license fees to show movies, this year we’ll be able to show more recent and classic movies after their theatrical release to the public. And we were able to bring a Kentucky Chautauqua Series program last year which featured an actor portraying former President Abraham Lincoln. We want not only to raise money for the library, but we also want to be an extension of the community,” Miller stated.

You can find out more information on the Corbin Public Library’s programs, or about Friends of the Library, by calling (606) 528-6366.      Future plans and programs for the Friends of the Library are to sponsor a performance by a classical guitarist next month, as well as to show the newly-licensed movies to a larger audience. They’re also planning another Kentucky Chautauqua program.

“And it’s an important part of Corbin, too. We have agreed to get the gentleman with the Chautauqua series who portrays Colonel Harland Sanders to appear. We just need the ‘Friends of Colonel Sanders’ group to agree to it,” said Miller.          http://thetimestribune.com/entertainment/x1585740156/Friends-of-Library-to-bring-impressions-of-Elvis-others

I saw Elvis in Macon, GA in 1970 or 1971 and again in Atlanta at the Omni in 1975. The Macon concert was awesome !! I would have been 23 or 24 and I was and still am a huge Elvis fan. Seeing him in person was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. I remember the American Trilogy at the end and it was amazing !! I think he came back for one encore, but then they announced that Elvis had left the building. He was in great shape at that time and his performance was wonderful. When I saw him in Atlanta in 1975 we were so far back we could hardly see him. His voice was still great. A friend of mine and I went to Graceland in 1971 or 1972. Elvis was there recovering from an eye infection. His Uncle who was the security guard at the gate said he would take us in his jeep up to the house if we promised not to get out, which we did promise. That was exciting also just to know that Elvis was there at the time.       Sue       http://www.elvistribute.us/concerts/

Mar 01 2012 One day in the 1970′s, Linda Thompson talked Elvis into going with her to the local McDonalds located at 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis. She said she was sick and tired of them never going out together. Thompson made a bet with Elvis that no one would recognize him and he could relax. Elvis believed he would not only be recognized but mobbed as well. So with the bet was set. Elvis drove and parked in the regular parking lot. Linda walked into the restaurant with Elvis at her side. They approached the counter and put in their orders. So far so good, Elvis found himself enjoying the night out and commented to Linda that she had been right.

Linda & E

Several minutes later a man walked up to their table, looked at Elvis, and said that he was sick and tired of men trying to look like Elvis Presley. He said that there was only one king. Shocked at the man’s assumption that he was an impersonator, Elvis informed the stranger that he was indeed Elvis. The man would not believe him and said that he pitied him for thinking that he was Elvis. Not knowing how to convince the man, Elvis turned to Linda who was thoroughly enjoying the scene and said, “Okay Bob, enough is enough. Stop playing!” When Elvis told her to stop joking and admit who he was, she said, “Will you cut the crap, Bob!” satisfied the stranger left. Elvis was totally dumfounded at what had happened, but Linda started to laugh. “See I told you, said Linda “You wouldn’t have any problems if you went out on your own. You’re your own prison.” After the evenings events Elvis and Linda went out alone several times. http://www.elvispresleynews.com/ElvisStories.html

I became aware of Elvis at a fairly young age because my teenage neighbor, Jackie, was smitten on him. My very straight laced, religious grandmother took my sister and I to see Jailhouse Rock. We were handed 8×10 glossy photos and other memorabelia that I wish I still had. Some years later, I was still attending Elvis movies (Viva Las Vegas) and my father,who said he preferred Sinatra, took our family to the drive inn to see Blue Hawaii. He told us because he wanted to see the scenery! In 1974, I was newly married and counting pennies to get by. I actually had to do the ironing on the floor, and that is what I was doing when I heard the announcement on the radio, Elvis was going to appear in Omaha. It was 8:00 AM and tickets were to go on sale at 10:00, the price was $10. By noon they were sold out. I had offered to get a ticket for a friend but she didn’t return my call in time.

Elvis Omaha, Jul 01 1974

by Phil Arnold,  courtesy of www.elvisthemagazine.com/philarnold.html,  July 24, 2005 Actress Cassandra Peterson has become known all across the country for her role as “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.” She’s the costumed vamp who introduces the horror classics on television, but at one time in Cassandra’s career she was a Las Vegas showgirl. It was during this period she met Elvis.  “I had been patterning my whole life after Ann Margaret in Viva Las Vegas. So, Yeah, luckily, really, I met Elvis, and it was kind of my dream come true because by the time I went to Vegas, and I did meet Elvis, it was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s coming true! The whole movie’s coming true, you know!’ And, so, I did hang out with Elvis for a while, and he was wonderful and charming and nice, very down home, very sweet, innocent kind of person. He was so different than what anybody would ever think. Not like Mr. Show Biz Time, just a nice, really charming, wonderful guy, very funny sense of humor.”

Cassandra Peterson created her Elvira persona in 1981, but back in 1969 she was just a 17 year old, struggling showgirl, when a friend of Cassandra’s managed to get them both invited to a party at Elvis’ penthouse suite. Elvis liked to be around showgirls, and on this night he took an interest in Cassandra.  ”Elvis singled me out. I sat at the piano and he played songs for me. We were singing together and he said, ‘Oh, you have a good voice. Why don’t you go take some singing lessons, learn how to sing, and get out of here?’ He said, ‘Because this is a real short-lived career, being a showgirl.’ So, next day, I mean, really, the next day, I went out and I signed up for singing lessons, and within just a few months I got a singing part in the show. It really was the thing I needed to kind of get me out of there.”

Later, in a more private setting, they talked all night, and a variety of subjects were broached. Elvis told her he was very spiritual and discussed numerology. He showed her a jewel-encrusted belt buckle — a present from President Richard Nixon.     “It was the biggest, gaudiest things I had ever seen, and he was just so thrilled with it, like he was a little kid.”     She told him she smoked marijuana and that she was a virgin and both revelations had an effect on Elvis. He lectured her on the evils of pot, and marveled that there was actually a showgirl virgin in Las Vegas. After a while, she came to a realization.

“It was clear that he was not going to, like, hit on me. I could kick myself now for telling him. It would have been great to have him as my first lover. If it’s got to be somebody, it might as well be Elvis.”

Courtesy elvistribute.us:    The concert was in 1973, at the Nassau Coliseum, in Uniondale, NY. When I’d gotten the news that Elvis, who I’d loved as an entertainer since the 50′s, was appearing at the Coliseum, I had to go. Afterall, he was practically in my own backyard, and if I’d missed the show, I’d never have this opportunity again. My husband, never an Elvis fan, had no interest in accompanying me to the concert, so I asked my brother Neil. He said “Sure, I’ll order the tickets.” (Which by the way, cost $7.50 each…and I still have the ticket stubs!!)

Not being a concert goer, I had no idea where we’d be seated, or even that we’d have an option. I left those details to my brother. Wherever we’d sit was fine with me. As it turned out, we were ushered to the back set of rows, behind the stage. I thought, “Ooo, I’ll never get to see him”. But I was wrong. Elvis accomodated all his fans, moving to all sides of the stage to give each section a part of his performance, and of himself. He came to the back railing, on several occasions, and sang just to us. At those times I took some pictures with my simple, zoomless camera. Needless to say, the pictures weren’t that clear, but I later had them enlarged… to a grainy image. Regardless of the blur, I treasure those pictures, with the ticket stubs enclosed in a frame, and the memory of that evening when I saw Elvis in person! I may not have a scarf soaked with Elvis-sweat, or an imprint of his kiss on my lips, or the feel of his Teddy Bear hug, but I have those memories, of the one and only time I saw Elvis in the flesh!

Several years ago, my present husband had a convention in Nashville, Tenn, and as a special treat for me, we drove to Graceland and went on a tour of the mansion. What a feeling, being in the house where Elvis had once lived!    My mother, who has since passed away, used to love watching Elvis’ movies. I used to look at her and think, how odd, an old woman watching this young, handsome man. Now when I watch his movies, my daughter looks at me in the same way.

So many people, young and old, were fascinated by the man. He was gorgeous to look at, he had a fantistic, unique voice, honest smile, and such charisma. Who could not love such a person?      Elvis, we will always miss and love you. Thanks to today’s technology, we’ll have you around for a very long time, in your music, your movies, and all the literature that has been written about you.    On a special note: Elvis impersonator-tribute artist Trent Carlini, when I saw him on stage in Las Vegas in 2002, it was like watching and listening to Elvis himself. He is the best I’ve seen or heard. My husband and I were in Vegas for our 25th Anniv. and to renew our vows at the Graceland Chapel.    Elvis, rest in peace, we love you and miss you.

Antoinette

courtesy of anecdotage.com Tony Curtis: “I’ve gotta tell you an Elvis story. We were working at Paramount Pictures and he had a huge camper that he stayed in between shots. And I was on lunch break, so I’d put on my white shorts and my T-shirt and I’d go for a little walk around. You know, just kind of mosey on. I wasn’t really interested in eating.

“And I go by this big trailer and the door opens and a big arm comes out. And I look at him and it’s Elvis and he pulls me into the trailer.   “He said: ‘Mr. Curtis, my name is Elvis Presley and it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please come in Mr. Curtis, meet my buddies.’

“So I came in and there’s ten to fifteen guys all sitting around. ‘Guys, this is Mr. Curtis. Mr. Curtis, this is so and so.’  “He said: ‘Mr. Curtis, ever since I was a little kid…’ I said: ‘Please, excuse me Elvis, don’t call me Mr. Curtis.’ He said: ‘Well, what I can call you?’ I said: ‘Call me Tony.’ He says: ‘Thanks, Tony.’ And I said to him: ‘What can I call you?’ He said: ‘Mr. Presley.’”

Courtesy of Jerry Weintraub and thedailybeast.com For New Year’s Eve 1975, I took Elvis Presley to Pontiac, Mich., for a concert at the Silverdome, which is the 80,000-seat stadium right outside Detroit.

Oh, my God, I thought. What a stupid mistake this is! Now I’m going to have to ship these things back. Why the hell did I do this?

I was sitting backstage with a frown on my face, which is very, very rare for me. And in comes Elvis and his entourage. He walks up to me, and says, “Are you OK? You look terrible.”   “No, I’m not OK,” I said. “I made a terrible mistake.”

“Why?” “I bought 35,000 scarves and nobody cares about them.”

He said, “What are you talking about? You got 80,000 people, you’re probably making $1 million tonight. What are you carrying on about?”

But I was still down. So Elvis said, “If I fix this for you, will you smile?” And I said, “Sure, but I don’t know how you can possibly fix it.” Well, he went out there and did the first two numbers, then he stopped and said, “Turn the lights on, I can’t see you.” So they turned the lights in the stadium on, and Elvis said, “I tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to take a break, get a Coca-Cola. If you go out to the concession stands, do me a favor and buy a white scarf. And then when you come back, wave it at me, and I’ll be able to see you.” He went off. I sold 35,000 scarves. I was upset I didn’t have another 35,000.

I’m right much more than I’m wrong, but in that case I was really wrong.  So I guess the lesson here is: don’t buy 35,000 of anything unless you have Elvis Presley to sell them.

I have always been an Elvis fan. In 1975 I was very lucky to get 3rd row seat tickets to a concert held in Oklahoma city. I couldn’t wait to get there. I bought a concert photo album, and a scarf, both of which I still have. I had borrowed a friend’s camera and waited for that moment when he would come out onto the stage. A lot of excitement was in the air. He came out did his thing, I even got him to throw a scarf to me, which I gave to the lady next to me (only because she asked me to try and get it for her) I took several pictures of the concert and couldn’t wait to get them back. 

Finally the photo store called me and said they were in. I rushed down to pick them up, got in the car and started going through them. I was very disappointed, not one of the pictures came out. The photos were completely blank. I went to my friend and told her that her camera was broken. She disagreed, after investigating the camera we discovered that I had left the cap on and all of my pictures were of the inside of the cap.

All is not too bad though. A lady I worked with had a brother that was a police officer at the time and he was guarding the back of the stage and was on the walk area above and behind Elvis. He took 2 photos, one with the lights on and one with the lights off. I viewed the photos and asked if I could have a copy made from the negative of the one with the lights on, because you could see me in the photo. I went back to the photo store and had a copy made. However when they made the copy they centered Elvis in the photo and now all you can see of me is my shoulder, you can see the lady that got the scarf fine but not me. I still have the photo and it along with the (purchased) scarf and the concert photo album are in my Elvis collection shelf Happy days to all,   Howard   courtesy elvistribute.us

My first ever rock concert was the Elvis Presley show in New Haven, CT on July 30, 1976. My family took a chartered bus from Albany, NY. We sat high up on the right side of the coliseum, but we had binoculars which brought the action much closer.

He may have been carrying some extra pounds, but he put his heart into the show. He sounded strong vocally, and was ever so gracious with the fans. I remember thinking how cool it was that he played part of the show to the people sitting in the sections behind the stage. I also remember him cautioning fans to be careful as the stage was particularly high and he didn’t want to see anyone get hurt.

While he did not play Polk Salad or Burning Love, I did get to hear wonderful renditions of Love Letters, Hurt & an abbreviated Hound Dog before the night was over. As I recall, only one woman got a kiss that evening because of the height of the stage. I also remember someone tossing a bouquet of roses to Elvis which he caught, then dropped after apparently pricking his hand on the thorns. He did pick them up again before heading off stage.

If anyone out there has photos or clippings to share from this show, I would like to hear from you. We had to hop a bus back home immediately after the show so we never got to read the local reaction to the show. Regards, James, courtesy elvistribute.us